Many individuals relish the prospect of a trip to new destinations, as well as trying out novel modes of transportation and seeing the sights in foreign lands. However, it’s true that less experienced travellers can be prone to some degree of travel anxiety for a variety of different reasons.
It’s natural to feel nervous when in unfamiliar places, to say nothing of the litany of crucial considerations: safety, time constraints, efficient packing or unpacking, and the organisation of transport and accommodations. Managing all of these elements simultaneously can become sources of anxiety and stress in themselves, especially for inexperienced travellers.
One natural supplement that may help to ameliorate symptoms of anxiety-related conditions is cannabidiol (CBD). According to a 2015 study, “Preclinical evidence conclusively demonstrates CBD’s efficacy in reducing anxiety behaviors relevant to multiple disorders.”
CBD oil may provide a natural alternative to conventional anxiolytic drugs, or a viable addon to conventional therapies for those who suffer from travel anxiety. In this article, we’ll break down what exactly travel anxiety is and go over how CBD can help to make its symptoms more manageable while on the go.
What is CBD?
CBD (cannabidiol) is one of many compounds found in cannabis plants like marijuana and hemp. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD has no psychoactive properties whatsoever. It communicates with CB1 and CB2 receptors within the endocannabinoid system and can directly affect how the brain interprets stimuli. CBD offers a wide array of therapeutic properties, but won’t affect your ability to make judgement calls quickly. This makes CBD a promising option for managing anxiety on the road without the “high” from THC.
There are many CBD products available, with varying potencies between them. One of the most popular forms of CBD is a standard tincture or oil drops, which can be especially handy for those who are uninterested in vaping or topical applications. CBD oil drops can be ordered online from an established company like CrescentCanna.com and delivered straight to your door before your departure date.
Image by Erin Hinterland from Pixabay
Unpacking travel anxiety
To better understand how CBD can help with travel anxiety, let’s take a deep dive into what it actually is. Travel anxiety doesn’t refer specifically to unease brought about by going somewhere new. It isn’t necessarily limited to hodophobia (an extreme fear of travelling) either; it can develop from travel-related anxiety disorders such as panic disorder and generalised anxiety disorder.
Many people live with various phobias in their daily lives, and situations that are practically inevitable during travel can sometimes aggravate them. The most common factors that can trigger travel-related anxiety conditions are going long distances, being among strangers, or even just a general sense of vulnerability due to being away from home.
Although there are several commonly related phobias to travel anxiety, the two most common to new travellers are:
- Agoraphobia is fear of the lack of control over one’s situation. It is also associated with a fear of being in public spaces. It’s a mental health condition where someone has an irrational fear of places or situations where escape might be difficult. Agoraphobics are often anxious about being in crowded public places, standing in line for prolonged periods, or travelling to new destinations.
- Claustrophobia refers to the fear of feeling confined. It’s not limited to just being in enclosed spaces; some people can have an intense sensation of dread when they feel trapped inside their own skin. These feelings can begin to settle in when travelling by airplane or train, making claustrophobics feel like they need to get out.
Travel anxiety can take many forms but usually manifests as excessive worry about the journey’s safety aspects (e.g. getting lost) and/or the destination itself (e.g. culture shock). However, with a little preparation and healthy coping techniques, you can reduce your anxiety level before and during your trip so that it doesn’t interfere with the enjoyment of your vacation.
Using CBD for travel anxiety
A large part of the appeal of CBD supplementation is its versatility. CBD products range from tinctures to gummies and even recovery balms, so you can easily make use of its therapeutic potential without having to worry about batteries or lighters.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that CBD has anti-anxiety properties, concluding that many aspects of anxiety can be decreased with proper supplementation. Research also suggests that CBD affects GABA receptors in the central nervous system to promote relaxation and reduce stress – which on its own would do a great deal to mitigate travel anxiety.
CBD can also be purchased in various concentration levels, so you can be sure to get a sufficient dose and quickly get symptoms under control. Along with modulating the brain’s release and sensitivity to stress hormones, CBD also communicates with the nervous system to minimize related physiological symptoms like increased heart rate or shortness of breath.
CBD is being studied as a promising supplemental therapeutic for keeping anxiety in check because it’s a natural compound that is easily purchased, easily carried in a purse or pocket, and aids in controlling many physiological manifestations of travel related phobias and anxieties.
Top image by Joshua Woroniecki from Pixabay
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